http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eudn/2007/64

Commission Decision

of 15 December 2006

establishing revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for the award of the Community eco-label to growing media

(notified under document number C(2006) 6962)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/64/EC) (repealed)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme1, and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) thereof,

After consulting the European Union Eco-Labelling Board,

Whereas:

(1)

Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000, a timely review has been carried out of the ecological criteria, as well as of the related assessment and verification requirements, established by Commission Decision 2001/688/EC2 for the award of the Community eco-label to soil improvers and growing media.

(2)

Following that review, the product group was divided into two separate product groups and accordingly Decision 2006/799/EC3 on soil improvers was adopted. That Decision replaced Decision 2001/688/EC in so far as soil improvers were concerned.

(3)

However, it is necessary to replace Decision 2001/688/EC in so far as growing media are concerned.

(4)

In the light of the review, it is appropriate, in order to take account of scientific and market developments, to revise the criteria and requirements relating to growing media, the period of validity of which expires on 28 August 2007.

(5)

The revised ecological criteria and requirements should be valid for a period of four years.

(6)

It is appropriate to allow a transitional period of not more than eighteen months for producers whose products have been awarded the eco-label before 1 October 2006 or who have applied for such an award before that date, so that they have sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with the revised criteria and requirements.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee instituted by Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: